Academy Council

Governance within a multi-academy trust

Begbrook Primary Academy is part of the Cabot Learning Federation, a multi-academy trust that is responsible for a number of academies across Bristol, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset. Governance for a multi-academy trust operates at two levels. At trust level, there is a Board of Directors. The directors are accountable to the Department for Education and external government agencies, including the Charity Commission, for the quality of the education the trust provides and the effective use of the associated academy funding. They are required to have
systems in place through which they can assure themselves of quality, financial probity, safety and good practice. The Board is provided assurance on a number of these areas through various sub committees, as shown in the diagram below. For further information about the Board, please click here. https://www.clf.uk/governance/meetthe-board/

At a local level, each academy has an Academy Council comprising of up to 13 Academy Councillors. Academy Councils are responsible for holding Principals and their leadership teams to account for the quality and effectiveness of the academic experience of the students under their care with the aim of securing effective school improvement. They do this through monitoring performance against an annual academy improvement plan, through monitoring risks and responses to risks, and by overseeing systems and processes for the safeguarding of children and the health, safety
and wellbeing of academy staff.

If you want to contact the Chair (or any Academy Council members), please email the Clerk to the Academy Council linda.corbidge@clf.uk. Please make your email subject line with FOA Chair of Academy Council).

These are our Academy Councillors …

Chair of Academy Council (and Safeguarding, EDI Link): Sarah Page
	As an ex-parent of Begbrook School, I know the school community and staff well. I am an experienced higher education leader with over a decade of Leadership and teaching across undergraduate and postgraduate levels. I have extensive leadership experience, managing teams, resources, and budgets with a collaborative and approachable style. Sarah has played a central role in advancing equality, diversity and inclusion, leading Student Voice initiatives and developing inclusive curriculum projects. She is currently two years into a Doctorate in Education (EdD), specialising in curriculum design, further strengthening her expertise in educational innovation and student engagement. These are all skills that I hope to bring to my position at the CLF.
Teacher Academy Councillor: Sian Adams
	I am excited to be part of the Academy Council for Begbrook Primary Academy this year in my role as Teacher Councillor. I have worked as a Senior Leader at the Academy for nearly two years and am also Designated Safeguarding Lead. I am committed to Academy Improvement to ensure all children achieve their full potential. I love being part of the Begbrook Community and am excited for the next phase of our Academy Improvement journey.
Sponsor Academy Councillor: Anne Harris
	Anne trained as a children’s nurse at Great Ormond Street Hospital in the nineteen eighties and worked in London for a few years before moving to Bristol and becoming a social worker for children with cancer. Most of her professional career has centred around working with children and families affected by serious childhood illness. In 2006 she became Director of Care Services at Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity, retiring in 2024. Anne was awarded an MBE for services to seriously ill children and their families in the King’s Birthday Honours List, 2024. She lives in Bristol with her husband and three mad cats.
Parent Academy Councillor: Dr Shaun Mudd
	I am a parent of a child at Begbrook Primary Academy and am delighted to sit on the Academy Council. I am passionate about promoting effective and inclusive education for all learners, as well as supporting teachers in their practice and development. In my professional life, I am Head of Teaching Expertise Development at Bath Spa University. This team facilitates professional learning for staff who teach and support learning, supports curriculum design and enhancement, and informs education-related strategy and operation across the institution. Immediately before joining Bath Spa University, I led the mandatory teaching qualification for new lecturers at the University of the West of England (UWE Bristol).
Support Staff Councillor: Nicole Owen
	To follow
Sponsor Academy Councillor: Dr Pawel Capik
	To follow